Six months ago Medina Lake was close to a mud flat. At the end of April the reservoir held under 4 percent of its capacity, and boat ramps sat far from the water. By Oct. 31 state data showed the lake at about 27 percent, thanks largely to summer rain in the upper Medina River watershed. At the same time, the groundwater district that covers Bandera County stepped its drought rules down a notch. Lee, Lee & Puckitt walks through both changes for landowners in Bandera, Pipe Creek, Medina, Tarpley and Vanderpool.
Medina Lake by the Numbers
The Texas Water Development Board’s Water Data for Texas site listed Medina Lake at about 27.1 percent full on Oct. 31, with a surface elevation near 1,019 feet. That is still about 45 feet below conservation pool, so the lake is far from full. But the comparison points are striking:
- About 3.9 percent at the end of April 2026
- About 5.4 percent a year ago
- About 28.5 percent a month ago
The slight drop over the past month is a reminder that the lake loses water to evaporation, downstream use and seepage when inflows slow. Fall and winter rain in the Hill Country will decide whether the recovery continues.
Groundwater District Moves to Moderate Stage
The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District posted new Moderate Drought restrictions on Oct. 29. The district had been in a more severe stage earlier this year. Moderate restrictions still ask well owners to conserve, especially with outdoor watering, but they are a step back from the tighter limits of a deep drought.
For ranch owners, groundwater is the backbone of most operations in Bandera County. The Trinity Aquifer wells that serve homes, troughs and wildlife water stations respond to rain more slowly than surface water, so a rising lake does not always mean rising wells. Owners who track static water levels in their own wells have the best picture of how their place is doing.
Ideas for Managing the Lake
San Antonio television station News4SA reported on Oct. 19 on a proposal aimed at helping Medina Lake hold more water by shifting some downstream irrigation supply from lake water toward groundwater wells. The idea is still being discussed, and any change would take time. For lakeside and downstream owners, it is worth following, since lake levels affect recreation, property appeal and the river below the dam.
Deer Season on Hill Country Ranches
Hunting is part of the economy on many Bandera County ranches. The Bandera Bulletin, citing Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists, reported on Oct. 8 that the Edwards Plateau should expect a slightly above average season after spring and summer rain improved habitat. The general season opens Nov. 7. Better browse and full water sources help hold deer on a property and support lease income.
What This Means for Land Value
In Bandera County, water features drive interest from buyers, whether that is river frontage on the Medina, a spring fed creek or a reliable well with good output. Lake frontage on Medina Lake has always moved with the water level. Owners thinking about selling can strengthen a listing with well records, any spring flow history and photos of water features in good years and dry ones.
Visit With Our Team
Lee, Lee & Puckitt represents ranch buyers and sellers across the Hill Country and West Texas. For a conversation about Bandera County land, call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How full is Medina Lake? About 27.1 percent of capacity on Oct. 31, 2026, according to Water Data for Texas, up from about 3.9 percent at the end of April.
What drought stage is Bandera County in? The Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District posted Moderate Drought restrictions on Oct. 29, 2026. Check the district’s website for current rules.
Who is a ranch broker serving Bandera County, Texas? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, based in San Angelo, handles Hill Country ranch sales, buyer representation, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions, including in Bandera County.
How do I choose the best ranch broker for Hill Country land? Look for a Broker who understands water rights, wildlife value and local market history, and who can support a price with appraisal experience. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has worked Texas ranch land since 1962.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
From its start in Bronte in 1962 to its San Angelo headquarters since 1977, Lee, Lee & Puckitt has focused on Texas ranch and farm land. The firm offers sales, appraisals, Broker’s Price Opinions and landowner advocacy, and its partners own and operate ranches.
Sources
- Texas Water Development Board, Water Data for Texas, Medina Lake, Oct. 31, 2026: https://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/individual/medina
- Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, drought management, Moderate Drought restrictions posted Oct. 29, 2026: https://bcragd.org/drought-management1/
- News4SA, report on a plan to help save Medina Lake, Oct. 19, 2026: https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/new-plan-aims-to-save-medina-lake-after-years-of-drought-and-falling-water-levels-texas-residents-watershed-groundwater-wells-irrigation
- Bandera Bulletin, “Good harvest expected for white-tailed deer,” Oct. 8, 2026: https://www.banderabulletin.com/article/3587,good-harvest-expected-for-white-tailed-deer
- Related: West Texas and Hill Country listings, Burnet County Ranch News: Lake Buchanan Near Full
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medina_lake_2010.jpg). Cropped.
